The 25 Most Tornado-Prone Small Towns in Texas

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 364 towns of 500–10,000 people in Texas. #1 is Central Gardens, TX (75 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

Numbers match the ranking.

25Dayton, Texas

45 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Dayton is a city of 8,777 people in Liberty County, Texas. 45 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F4 on November 21, 1992.

8,777 people · Liberty County · median home $227,600 · income $59,691 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

Full Dayton, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
24Edgecliff Village, Texas

46 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Edgecliff Village is a town of 3,788 people in Tarrant County, Texas. 46 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on April 16, 2002.

3,788 people · Tarrant County · median home $280,000 · income $85,242 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

Full Edgecliff Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
23Westworth Village, Texas

47 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Westworth Village is a city of 2,585 people in Tarrant County, Texas. 47 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on April 16, 2002.

2,585 people · Tarrant County · median home $318,200 · income $86,429 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

Full Westworth Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
22Lake Worth, Texas

47 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Lake Worth is a city of 4,711 people in Tarrant County, Texas. 47 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on April 16, 2002.

4,711 people · Tarrant County · median home $236,700 · income $81,910 · Jan low 37°F · 2 in snow

Full Lake Worth, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
21Sansom Park, Texas

47 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Sansom Park is a city of 5,454 people in Tarrant County, Texas. 47 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on April 16, 2002.

5,454 people · Tarrant County · median home $158,200 · income $42,257 · Jan low 35°F · 2 in snow

Full Sansom Park, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
20River Oaks, Texas

47 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

River Oaks is a city of 7,646 people in Tarrant County, Texas. 47 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on April 16, 2002.

7,646 people · Tarrant County · median home $223,800 · income $63,500 · Jan low 37°F · 2 in snow

Full River Oaks, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
19Wolfforth, Texas

48 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Wolfforth is a city of 5,521 people in Lubbock County, Texas. 48 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F5 on May 11, 1970.

5,521 people · Lubbock County · median home $260,200 · income $106,250 · Jan low 30°F · 7 in snow

Full Wolfforth, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
18Shallowater, Texas

49 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Shallowater is a city of 2,964 people in Lubbock County, Texas. 49 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an EF2 on June 5, 2025.

2,964 people · Lubbock County · median home $210,000 · income $89,107 · Jan low 27°F · 7 in snow

Full Shallowater, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
17Ovilla, Texas

50 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Ovilla is a city of 4,304 people in Ellis County, Texas. 50 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F4 on April 25, 1994.

4,304 people · Ellis County · median home $446,700 · income $131,434 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow

Full Ovilla, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
16Bunker Hill Village, Texas

55 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Bunker Hill Village is a city of 3,822 people in Harris County, Texas. 55 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F2 on May 20, 1983.

3,822 people · Harris County · median home $2,000,001 · income $250,001 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

Full Bunker Hill Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
15Spring Valley Village, Texas

55 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Spring Valley Village is a city of 4,229 people in Harris County, Texas. 55 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F2 on November 21, 1992.

4,229 people · Harris County · median home $1,156,700 · income $245,208 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

Full Spring Valley Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
14San Leon, Texas

55 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

San Leon is a community of 6,135 people in Galveston County, Texas. 55 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on March 30, 2002.

6,135 people · Galveston County · median home $183,100 · income $75,446 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

Full San Leon, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
13Richland Hills, Texas

56 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Richland Hills is a city of 8,621 people in Tarrant County, Texas. 56 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on April 16, 2002.

8,621 people · Tarrant County · median home $248,100 · income $66,721 · Jan low 36°F · 2 in snow

Full Richland Hills, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
12Manvel, Texas

57 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Manvel is a city of 9,992 people in Brazoria County, Texas. 57 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on March 8, 1976.

9,992 people · Brazoria County · median home $338,700 · income $118,808 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

Full Manvel, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
11Hunters Creek Village, Texas

58 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Photo: WhisperToMe (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

Hunters Creek Village is a city of 4,385 people in Harris County, Texas. 58 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F2 on November 21, 1992.

4,385 people · Harris County · median home $2,000,001 · income $250,001 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

Full Hunters Creek Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
10Keene, Texas

58 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Keene is a city of 6,387 people in Johnson County, Texas. 58 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F4 on May 26, 1976.

6,387 people · Johnson County · median home $225,300 · income $51,695 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

Full Keene, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
9Bacliff, Texas

60 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Bacliff is a community of 9,677 people in Galveston County, Texas. 60 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F3 on March 30, 2002.

9,677 people · Galveston County · median home $201,500 · income $51,458 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

Full Bacliff, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
8Piney Point Village, Texas

61 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Piney Point Village is a city of 3,128 people in Harris County, Texas. 61 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F2 on November 21, 1992.

3,128 people · Harris County · median home $2,000,001 · income $250,001 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

Full Piney Point Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
7Nassau Bay, Texas

61 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Nassau Bay is a city of 5,347 people in Harris County, Texas. 61 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an EF3 on January 24, 2023.

5,347 people · Harris County · median home $374,600 · income $71,696 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

Full Nassau Bay, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
6Joshua, Texas

63 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Joshua is a city of 7,891 people in Johnson County, Texas. 63 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an EF3 on May 15, 2013.

7,891 people · Johnson County · median home $338,100 · income $68,117 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow

Full Joshua, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
5Jacinto City, Texas

63 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Jacinto City is a city of 9,613 people in Harris County, Texas. 63 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F4 on November 21, 1992.

9,613 people · Harris County · median home $156,200 · income $47,318 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

Full Jacinto City, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
4Highlands, Texas

65 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Highlands is a community of 8,612 people in Harris County, Texas. 65 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F4 on November 21, 1992.

8,612 people · Harris County · median home $214,400 · income $52,167 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

Full Highlands, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
3El Lago, Texas

71 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

El Lago is a city of 3,090 people in Harris County, Texas. 71 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an EF3 on January 24, 2023.

3,090 people · Harris County · median home $320,900 · income $95,625 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

Full El Lago, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
2Taylor Lake Village, Texas

73 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Taylor Lake Village is a city of 3,704 people in Harris County, Texas. 73 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an EF3 on January 24, 2023.

3,704 people · Harris County · median home $388,900 · income $165,875 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

Full Taylor Lake Village, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.
1Central Gardens, Texas

75 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

Central Gardens is a community of 4,373 people in Jefferson County, Texas. 75 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Texas town: 21); the strongest was an F4 on November 7, 1957.

4,373 people · Jefferson County · median home $216,700 · income $83,750 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

Full Central Gardens, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Texas rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 364 towns of 500–10,000 people in Texas (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources:

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)

The 25 Most Tornado-Prone Small Towns in Texas

25Dayton, Texas

24Edgecliff Village, Texas

23Westworth Village, Texas

22Lake Worth, Texas

21Sansom Park, Texas

20River Oaks, Texas

19Wolfforth, Texas

18Shallowater, Texas

17Ovilla, Texas

16Bunker Hill Village, Texas

15Spring Valley Village, Texas

14San Leon, Texas

13Richland Hills, Texas

12Manvel, Texas

11Hunters Creek Village, Texas

10Keene, Texas

9Bacliff, Texas

8Piney Point Village, Texas

7Nassau Bay, Texas

6Joshua, Texas

5Jacinto City, Texas

4Highlands, Texas

3El Lago, Texas

2Taylor Lake Village, Texas

1Central Gardens, Texas

More Texas rankings

Same ranking, other places